Who inks deal, will play L.A.

By Jonathan Cohen

Billboard.com

The Who has signed a new deal with Universal Republic for the Oct. 31 release of "Endless Wire," its first album since 1982's "It's Hard."

The set will feature the complete mini-opera "Wire & Glass," a shortened version of which was released internationally last month.

Other tracks expected to appear include "Mike Post Theme" and "Man in a Purple Dress," which guitarist Pete Townshend has previously likened to "a Bob Dylan song from the early days."

"Pete's music, for me, is still a driving force in my life," vocalist Roger Daltrey said last month, adding that the new songs have "the Townshend magic."

Townshend has a pre-existing relationship with Universal, whose Hip-O imprint is reissuing his entire solo catalog on Tuesday.

Universal also issued the Who's 2004 retrospective "Then & Now," which featured the band's first new songs in two decades.

The Who is gearing up for a fall North American tour, during which songs from "Endless Wire" are expected to debut. The outing opens Sept. 12 in Philadelphia and includes shows Nov. 4 and 5 at the Hollywood Bowl.

Tickets to the 7:30 p.m. Bowl shows cost from $56.50 to $282.50 and are available at http://www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 583-8700.